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News18
4 days ago
- Politics
- News18
‘Even 300 Years Later, Her Legacy Guides Us': PM Modi Pays Tribute To Ahilyabai Holkar In Bhopal
Last Updated: On Ahilyabai Holkar's 300th birth anniversary, PM Modi paid tribute to her legacy and inaugurated key development projects in Madhya Pradesh Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday participated in the 300th birth anniversary celebrations of Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar at the Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Mahila Sashaktikaran Mahasammelan in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, where he also inaugurated a series of major development projects across the state. 'Just hearing the name of Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar fills the heart with reverence. Words fall short when describing her extraordinary life," PM Modi said as he opened his address. He called Ahilyabai a timeless symbol of courage and determination: 'Devi Ahilyabai is proof that when there is willpower and firm resolve, even the toughest circumstances can be overcome and remarkable outcomes achieved." Marking her 300th birth anniversary, the Prime Minister said, 'This occasion is an inspiration for 1.4 billion Indians. It is a call to contribute to nation-building efforts." A Leader In Adversity The Prime Minister recalled that 250-300 years ago, when India was shackled in the chains of slavery, Ahilyabai Holkar undertook extraordinary works that continue to be discussed across generations. 'It is easy to say but not easy to achieve what she accomplished during that challenging period," he said. PM Modi said Lokmata Ahilyabai never separated Prabhu Seva (service to God) from Jan Seva (service to people). 'It is said that she always carried a Shivling with her wherever she went. In those difficult times, she led her state with great courage. The crown she wore was like a crown of thorns, but she still guided her kingdom towards prosperity," he remarked. Sharing a personal note, he added, 'It is my good fortune that the Kashi where Lokmata Ahilyabai carried out so many developmental works has also given me the opportunity to serve. Today, if you visit Kashi Vishwanath, you will also see a statue of Devi Ahilyabai there." 'Her Vision Guides India Even Today' PM Modi drew a parallel between Ahilyabai's agricultural vision and present-day reforms. 'To increase farmers' income, Lokmata Ahilyabai had told us 250-300 years ago to encourage cotton and spice farming. Even today, after 250-300 years, we have to continuously tell our farmers to practice crop diversification. You cannot get stuck in only cultivating paddy or sugarcane," he said. He further added that today's development initiatives reflect Ahilyabai's principle of governance aimed at improving people's lives. 'Today, the Indore Metro has been inaugurated. Datia and Satna have also been connected with air services. All these projects will increase facilities in Madhya Pradesh, accelerate development and create new employment opportunities," PM Modi said. The Prime Minister also praised the overwhelming presence of women at the Mahasammelan, calling it a reflection of India's ongoing march towards women-led development. First Published: May 31, 2025, 12:44 IST
India.com
6 days ago
- Business
- India.com
Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani son Akash Ambani visits Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Varanasi, donates....
Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani son Akash Ambani visits Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Varanasi, donates.... Akash Ambani, the eldest son of business tycoon Mukesh Ambani and Chairman of Reliance Jio, on Wednesday visited the holy city of Varanasi. During his visit, he offered prayers at the famous Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple and participated in the grand Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. As soon as Akash arrived at the Kashi Vishwanath temple, he first bowed to the temple's towering spire. He then entered the sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha) and spent around 10 minutes in deep prayer. He performed jalabhishek (offering water) and dugdhabhishek (offering milk) on the Shivling. The temple priests guided him through a dedicated worship ceremony. The temple priests guided him through a traditional Shodashopachara ritual, a sixteen-step worship process. He prayed with full devotion and received blessings from Lord Shiva. After the puja, he bowed respectfully to the temple's main spire and also visited several other small shrines within the temple complex. As a token of appreciation, the temple authorities gifted him a Rudraksha mala and prasadam (holy offering). Speaking to the temple staff, Akash expressed his deep spiritual experience, saying, 'Coming to Kashi, I felt a strong sense of spiritual energy.' He also mentioned that the recent wedding of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant was completed smoothly with the blessings of Baba Vishwanath. According to media reports, Akash donated more than Rs. 1 crore to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust. Present during his visit were temple CEO Vishwabhushan Mishra, SDM Shambhu Sharan, and several priests. After visiting the temple, Akash went to Dashashwamedh Ghat, where he took part in the sacred Ganga Aarti. Before the Aarti, priests performed a traditional Vedic ritual to worship River Ganga. The members of Ganga Seva Nidhi, including president Sushant Mishra, treasurer Ashish Tiwari, and secretary Hanuman Yadav, welcomed him with an angavastram (a traditional shawl), prasadam, and a memento. They also invited him to return with his entire family. To end the evening, Akash enjoyed a peaceful boat ride on the Ganga, taking in the spiritual atmosphere of the ancient city. About Akash Ambani Akash Ambani is the eldest son of India's top industrialist Mukesh Ambani. According to Jio Institute, he serves as the Chairman of Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited. He is also a board member of Reliance Retail Ventures Limited. A passionate sports enthusiast, Akash is the co-owner of the IPL team Mumbai Indians, one of the league's most successful franchises.
Hans India
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Uttarakhand: Divyang Jeevan Joshi creates artwork on pine bark, PM Modi salutes his spirit
People consider pine bark to be useless, but Jeevan Chandra Joshi, a resident of Haldwani in Uttarakhand, is bringing life to wood with his artwork. Without any modern tools, he has carved many life-like figures on the bark with his hands, and people are also amazed to see his creations. He has made many artefacts on this bark, including a replica of pilgrimage sites like Badrinath, Kedarnath, traditional drums, musical instruments, conch, Shivling, map of India, etc. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his 'Mann Ki Baat' programme on Sunday, mentioned the unique wooden artwork of polio-stricken Jeevan Joshi and also praised him. Jeevan Joshi was exhilarated and proud to know that PM Modi praised his artwork publicly. The 65-year-old Jeevan Chandra Joshi, a resident of Katgharia, never let his physical disability affect his art. Today, he is an expert in an art that is being appreciated not only in the country but also abroad. He is the first person to be awarded the Senior Fellowship by the Ministry of Culture for working on pine baguette, i.e. the dried bark of the pine tree. This achievement not only recognises his art but also sets an example that there is no substitute for hard work and dedication. Joshi is suffering from polio. He has had difficulty walking since childhood, but due to his high-flying spirit, he has become self-reliant and has now become an inspiration for others. He learned the art related to wood and bark from his father. The compulsion of not being able to go out of the house forced him to discover a different world within the house. This journey made him a master craftsman. He told IANS that he has been practising this art for 25 to 30 years. He not only adopted this art himself but has now started training some local children in this art as well. He believes that if the government promotes this art, migration from the mountains will stop and local people will get employment. He says that the path to self-employment lies in such arts, and there is a need to preserve and promote them. Meanwhile, local social worker Narendra Sharma said, "Artists like Jeevan Chandra Joshi are our heritage. The government should provide a platform to such people so that their art reaches the new generation. Their story is not just an inspiration, it is a story of change."
Hindustan Times
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘Two shores of the sea, never shall they meet': Owaisi on RSS' Muslim outreach
AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi has dismissed RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's placatory statements towards Muslims as hypocritical "cheap talk", saying "never shall the Twain meet" because the Hindutva organisation only wants to destroy India's diversity. "You may be making these conciliatory statements but it is your own people who are doing this (anti-Muslim) tamasha. If you think they are wrong, why are you not stopping them?" Owaisi said in an interview to PTI Videos on Saturday. Also Read: '220 million honourable Muslims in India': Owaisi's message to Turkey on backing Pakistan He was asked to comment on Bhagwat's remarks that the DNA of Hindus and Muslims is the same, and one should not be looking for a Shivling under every mosque. This was in reference to disputes that have emerged in recent months surrounding pre-Independence, Mughal-era or earlier mosques, which some Hindus believe were built by destroying existing temples. Also Read: Owaisi joins Centre's anti-terror all-party delegations to foreign countries: 'Will reveal Pakistan's motives' "Are all these people who are going to courts and filing cases (seeking investigation of mosques' origins) not Mohan Bhagwat's acolytes?" said Owaisi, a five-time MP from Hyderabad and the sole representative of his party in Parliament. Besides Parliament, his All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen party has only seven seats in the 119-member Telangana Assembly. Despite his minor role in national and regional politics, Owaisi has emerged as a powerful voice of Muslims across the country because of his staunch defence of Muslim rights. His known antipathy towards RSS and BJP as well as vocal criticism of others among opposition parties add to his appeal among Muslims. Also Read: 'Confront Pak but adopt Kashmiris': Owaisi's message to PM Modi, Shah over protests in J&K after Pahalgam attack When challenged that perhaps it is these very people that Bhagwat is trying to control, Owaisi said: "The proof of the pudding is in the eating. Make them stop. That means they are not listening to you. Are you helpless to stop them? No, that's also not so. It is in your control. It is happening on your orders. It is happening with your acquiescence." He noted that soon after Bhagwat's comments, another senior RSS functionary issued statements saying Bhagwat did not mean what he said. "This is the theory of confusion of RSS. Bhagwat's statements are hypocritical. This is just cheap talk, loose talk, meant to send a message to America or Gulf Muslim countries," he said. When told that he could simply meet Bhagwat and seek a clarification on his stand, Owaisi said: "I am not anxious to meet him. (Mere pet me dard nahi hai)". "I know RSS well. We know what its ideology is. RSS wants to destroy this country's pluralism and diversity, and create a theocratic country. This has been said often by their leaders, whether it is Dr Hedgewar or Golwalkar, Deoras, Bhagwat or Rajju Bhaiya. "Them and us are the two shores of the sea. How can they come together? Never can the Twain meet. RSS is an ideological creature. RSS will never give up its ideology." Bhagwat has also met Muslim community leaders and intellectuals as part of the RSS outreach.
Deccan Herald
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
RSS outreach to Muslims cheap talk, loose talk; never shall the Twain meet: Asaduddin Owaisi
He was asked to comment on Bhagwat's remarks that the DNA of Hindus and Muslims is the same, and one should not be looking for a Shivling under every mosque.
